IT WAS an endurance test most of us would fail -- walking round Stanley Park athletics track non-stop for 24 hours!

But 35 brave souls from all over Europe travelled to the Blackpool venue at the weekend to do exactly that.

Many of the walkers had two goals in mind. Some were attempting to break the world record for the distance walked in 24 hours.

Others aimed to walk 100 miles to gain membership of the Centurions -- an international organisation for people who have walked 100 miles in 24 hours in a recognised race.

There were 21 finishers as the race came to an end at around 2pm on Sunday, and several had finished early, walking 100 miles before deciding they had reached their goal.

Event co-ordinator Dick Maxwell said: "It went very well. The record didn't go although people came very close, but there were some amazing times for the 100 mile mark."

One such was achieved by Dutchman Ad Leermakers who walked 100 miles in 19hrs 57mins 8secs -- the best of the men's times.

Second to him was experienced walker Sandra Brown of Surrey Walking Club who reached 100 miles in 20hrs 27mins 27secs.

And 1960 Olympic champion Don Thompson completed what he had declared would be his last 100 mile race in fine style. The 69-year-old was still on his feet at the end of the race, much to the delight of onlookers, organisers and competitors.

Dick added: "Going round and round a track 500 times can be demoralising, but conditions were great and Blackpool Borough Council laid on a magnificent buffet in the leisure centre after the race.

"My fellow co-ordinator Ron Wallwork said he was flooded with e-mails from competitors saying they had never experienced that sort of reception. It was a great event."